Fans of Astro All Asia Look Past
Fuzzy Picture for Pay Television

By
Leslie LopezStaff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated June 24, 2004 12:01 am ET

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysia's sole pay-television operator, Astro All Asia Networks, is picking up a little near-term static, but some investors contend that's no reason to switch off the stock.

First came attacks from the government over Astro's programming content, followed by a public outcry over the operator's plans to raise its monthly subscription fees. Two weeks ago the company was hit by fears of competition when a new pay-TV outfit called MiTV unveiled plans to begin service in December.